Category Archives: Tinkering

Way more that you may want to know about solder

Posted on January 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting 20 minute video about solder….way more than I wanted to know.  But still good watch for future solder’s. Let’s Play…Wheel of Solder!

Posted in Misc-Life, Tinkering | Comments Off on Way more that you may want to know about solder

Make (print) you own tape measure marker

Posted on January 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice idea, I’ll have to see about printing this out myself. http://www.instructables.com/id/Self-Marking-Tape-Measure/

Posted in CNC/3D-printing, Tools | Comments Off on Make (print) you own tape measure marker

Make a mini-pen lathe

Posted on January 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting lathe, pretty cheap build to (using existing drill, old bearing from rollerblades, etc).  Just a bit time consuming to make. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-PenMini-Lathe/

Posted in Cheap, woodworking | Comments Off on Make a mini-pen lathe

Nice idea to teach kids about solar energy (Thermal)

Posted on January 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice idea, the students build some simple solar thermal heaters, and record the results of heating up water. http://www.instructables.com/id/Kids-Solar-Water-Heater/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, solar, Teaching and Learning, water | Comments Off on Nice idea to teach kids about solar energy (Thermal)

Interesting Hydroponic system

Posted on January 22, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting build…looks like $40 in and $20 for the pump, and another $10 for the tubing (Author puts the cost at $70).  I think this could be made cheaper, but still, nice build and portable. http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-NFT-Hydroponic-System/

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Another nice CNC from CDROMS

Posted on January 22, 2016 by robertwilkie

Another nice detailed build for a CNC with CDROM drives.  The author uses the cases for support too.  Its only a plotter but still a nice build.  Cheap too since the author uses L293D2 chips on a thru hole board. … Continue reading →

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A cheap pancake robot printer

Posted on January 18, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice build from Odin College(?) on a pancake robot.  Looks like these things are popping up everywhere.  I like the feed control (solenoid). Edible art from a Robot Pancake Printer More info here. http://poe.olin.edu/2015/pancake/systems/index.html

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Drawing with an etch-a-sketch

Posted on January 18, 2016 by robertwilkie

This is too funny.  Basically the author build a CNC based etch-a-sketch Precision CNC Drawing with EtchABot

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Reading smartcards with an arduino

Posted on January 15, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting build.  The “Smartcards” look like simple SIM based cards. Reading Smart Cards from a PLC (with a Little Arduino Help)

Posted in Arduino, Security | Comments Off on Reading smartcards with an arduino

3D print your own 1 layer circuit board

Posted on January 15, 2016 by robertwilkie

Too funny, basically you make a thru-hole perf like board that is custom for your circuit, and fill in the channels in the back with conductive material (solder, conductive ink and or paint, or glue).  It actually looks nice too.  … Continue reading →

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